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Old June 15th, 2008, 03:41 PM
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Putting slump

I can't be alone on this one, but thought I would get some thoughts on how to break out of my slump or hear similar stories.

I am currently a 3 handicap, solid ball striker and average to better than average putter. I have always played blade putters of some sort and consider myself a feel putter.

Since memorial day weekend I have been missing a lot of 5-6 footers. I am mad at myself for leaving those 4-6 footers usually off the initial putt, usually long of the hole.

Our greens run 12+ on the stimp and very undulated. This weekend I went out and played 2 rounds and missed everything over 1 foot just over the right edge of the cup or just over the left edge (right edge more than left). Very much like watching many of the pros on the US Open yesterday.... I mean nothing dropped for 36 holes. I had ~45 putts on each 18, would have shot mid 70s otherwise with more GIRs than average.

I know its hard to say without seeing my stroke, but my stroke doesn't feel bad or different, I checked alignment a lot. Is this between the ears somehow? While the rounds have ed I haven't really let it bother me and wouldn't call it the yips.

Thoughts? Is this something that will just fall away as quickly as it came? I thought it was a one round issue, but after the second round I am trying to figure out how to lift my putting black cloud.

TIA!
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Old June 16th, 2008, 01:36 PM
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Re: Putting slump

60 yrs. old and yip ripe, two things helped improve my putting. Don't know if they'll help you, but they are:

1.) Apply same swing principles as other shots, stay connected at the shoulders and let the torso do the work, keeping the hands quiet. Don't watch the putter head if you try this. Just trust it will come through square.

2.) My fickle brain requires me to segregate pre-shot into break and speed in that order. That final consideration of speed has been a biggie for me.
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Old June 18th, 2008, 12:15 AM
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Re: Putting slump

Quote:
Originally Posted by crossgrain View Post
60 yrs. old and yip ripe, two things helped improve my putting. Don't know if they'll help you, but they are:



2.) My fickle brain requires me to segregate pre-shot into break and speed in that order. That final consideration of speed has been a biggie for me.
Needs some clarity. It's more than just pre-shot. This can shave strokes immediatly for anyone who is not taking an organized approach to putting:

Once ready to step up to the ball, the only directional thought I have is to look at a spot 3-4 inches in front of the ball on my predetermined target line to which I set up square. Once set up square to the target line, I eliminate direction from my thinking completely and focus on nothing but speed and swing. This makes the whole process of pulling the trigger sooooo much easier. Nothing but speed while swinging and you'll save a bunch of strokes. And when you do get into trouble? You've got a well organized system to help you get back on track with.quickly.
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Old June 18th, 2008, 09:47 AM
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Re: Putting slump

Thats a good idea actually with regards to a small spot 3-5 inches in front to aim. I think aim/alignment is partly my problem. I actually do target something closer to me to align my iron shots so should be no different with putting.

I have been doing a ton of analysis on my stroke too. I am concerned I am not following the putting plane correctly and working on making sure my head and hands don't move. Tough to keep the hands 100% out of it, at least for me.

Thanks again for the input.
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Old June 18th, 2008, 01:48 PM
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Re: Putting slump

You are welcome.
Point 1. above is what helps me keep the hands and arms quiet. I feel the shoulder connection by "gluing" (not squeezing) the upper arms to my torso, and focus on the forearms/hands as one unit. Keeping the rest of the body out of it and making a slight rotation of the torso makes it come through square every time. I was one over yesterday on a real tricky fun type puttputt couse with my granddaughter. Lots of 4-5 footers, dead center.

Last edited by crossgrain : June 18th, 2008 at 09:04 PM.
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Old June 18th, 2008, 05:53 PM
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Re: Putting slump

I went through something similar a few weeks ago with my putting. Couldn't hole the short "knee-knockers" that you just have to make to save my life. Basically I experimented on the practice green and found that I was tending to overread my putts and miss high. So definitely think about any tendencies you have as far as what side you're missing on. Also, I moved the ball back in my stance by about two golf balls. For some reason that kept my putts more on line and freed my stroke up. But you obviously have a solid stroke, being a 3 so just work on different things and you'll find it again.
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